Construction Update: Summer 2017

Stage 1 Construction Finishes with Completion of 20th Street and Two Pedestrian Bridges, Improved and Expanded Public Space

June 30, 2017 — Stage 1 construction on PennDOT’s $64.8 million project to replace seven structurally deficient bridges and expand and improve several pedestrian areas over and adjacent to Interstate 676 in Center City finished in early summer as crews wrapped up work on the 20th Street bridge, two pedestrian bridges and the enhanced public spaces surrounding those overpasses and on Winter Street.

State Transportation Secretary Leslie S. Richards (center, black dress) joins Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney (2nd from right) and city officials at a dedication ceremony for the improved public space at the two pedestrian bridges.

The new 20th Street span was built in three stages beginning in October 2015 across its expansive intersection with the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. This replacement structure includes several new crosswalks with pedestrian islands on 20th Street, Logan Circle and the Parkway that are designed to enhance pedestrian safety in one of the City’s premier tourism areas.

Winter Street improvements between 20th and 21st streets also have been completed, including construction of a new intersection with the Parkway’s outer southbound lanes at 20th Street and a plaza (right) along the side of the Franklin Institute with trees, plantings, benches and decorative sidewalks.

Two replacement pedestrian bridges over I-676 between 18th and 20th streets also have been completed and opened to the public. Both of these bridges, one connecting Logan Square with the Free Library and the other connecting Logan Square with the old Family Court building on the north side of the interstate, include enhancements and amenities such as paver blocks, polished granite planter boxes, benches, ornamental fencing and lighting, decorative sidewalks, and extensive landscaping.

PennDOT expanded the public space (Shakespeare Park) at the Free Library bridge (left) by capping the previously-open area over I-676 between the western edge of the old park and the 20th Street bridge. With landscaping and hardscaping amenities similar to those at the adjacent pedestrian bridge, this crossing also boasts an amphitheater encircled with benches and a large lawn area on the west side of the park.

The Family Court pedestrian bridge also features a central lawn area surrounded by benches.

The Pennypacker monument at the pedestrian bridge between 18th and 19th streets, the Miranda statue on Winter Street, the Civil War Soldiers’ and Sailors’ monuments on the Parkway, and the Shakespeare monument at the crossing between 19th and 20th streets have been professionally cleaned.

Bridge Replacements continue on 18th, 21st, 22nd streets

Crews in mid-May started construction to replace the 18th Street overpass (right), the last of seven structures included in the project. 18th Street over I-676 remains closed to motorists and pedestrians until next June while crews remove the existing bridge and build the new one.

Replacement of the 21st Street (bottom left) and 22nd Street bridges also continues a half-at-a-time. Construction of the west sides of both structures has finished and work is underway to build the eastern halves of both bridges. Both bridges are expected to be finished in 2018 and remain open to traffic during construction. The 22nd Street bridge remains open to pedestrian traffic as well, though space restrictions required the closing of sidewalks on the 21st Street bridge during construction. PennDOT advanced the start of work on these two bridges last November in a move that will allow the entire project to be completed in fall 2018, a year ahead of schedule.

The replacement 19th Street bridge was opened to vehicles and pedestrians in November 2016 following more than a year of construction.

Buckley & Company, Inc. of Philadelphia is the general contractor on the $64,836,180 project. Construction is financed with 100 percent federal funds.